Here's What Jane Fonda Wants Colin Kaepernick To Do

By: Christopher Feery | December 7, 2017

Things haven’t been going too swell in the world of former NFL player Colin Kaepernick over the past year or so, but his frown was recently turned upside down in a rather big way. Kaepernick was a surprise guest at the recent ACLU of Southern California’s annual Bill of Rights Awards gala, and he even took home an award to boot. As Fox News shares, Jane Fonda was one of the many celebs in attendance that gushed over Kaepernick.

Prior to the start of the 2016 NFL season, Kaepernick decided to stop standing for the National Anthem as it was being played before the start of games. He provided some vague reasoning for doing so, but the general gist was that he was not standing in a bid to stand up against oppression and systemic racism against the black community. Kaepernick would also make note of his displeasure with members of law enforcement, and he would even wear socks that depicted cops as pigs.

Fast forward to this season, and Kaepernick has been without a job since the San Francisco 49ers wished him well in future endeavors. He’s had some opportunities presented to him to continue his career, but he contends that he’s been blackballed from the league for his views. ACLU Southern California’s executive director Hector Villagra was happy to welcome him to the recent festivities, where Kaepernick received the Eason Monroe Courageous Courage Award.

“He’s been viciously and unfairly criticized. He’s been called a traitor because too many people in this country confuse dissent for disloyalty,” Villagra said. “He took a stand knowing some would threaten him and he has had his life threatened, which is why we are profoundly honored to have him here [and] we didn’t publicize his presence tonight.”

Kaepernick had plenty to say when he took to the podium, and it sounds like he’s going to keep fighting the good fight.

“We must confront systematic oppression as a doctor would a disease. You identify it, you call it out, you treat and you defeat it. We all have an obligation no matter the risk and regardless of reward to stand up for fell men and women who are being oppressed with the understanding that human rights cannot be compromised,” he said. “In the words of Frederick Douglas, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress.'"

His remarks would draw a standing ovation from the crowd, and actress Jane Fonda was among the many that sounded awfully pleased with what he had to say. She was on hand to receive the Ramon Ripston Liberty, Justice & Equality Award, but Kaepernick’s presence amounted to a big old cherry on top of her memorable night.

“Colin, you are woke!” Fonda said at the beginning of her speech.

“Keep kneeling until you can stand up!” she stated with emphasis as she wrapped things up.

It remains unclear how Kaepernick displayed ‘courageous courage,’ but we wouldn’t want to pick nits over a decision from the ACLU.